July 1989 - San Francisco Police Officers Association
July 1989 - San Francisco Police Officers Association
July 1989 - San Francisco Police Officers Association
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<strong>July</strong>, <strong>1989</strong> Notebook Page 9<br />
The Twenty Worst Job<br />
Interviewing Mistakes<br />
by Robin Ririe, M.A.<br />
(Although this series of articles on how to<br />
do well on testing is written for both civilian<br />
and police tests, much of the info will be<br />
very helpful in the upcoming Q35150 test.)<br />
The interview process is such a thrilling<br />
adventure to be involved in. It's a lot like<br />
having a root-canal. You know it has to be<br />
done but you wish someone else was going<br />
through it, not you. There are many<br />
things to be done to prepare yourself. The<br />
interview procedure is a process of elimination<br />
more than one of selecting the first<br />
outstanding candidate. By being careful not<br />
to commit obvious wrongs you will find<br />
yourself doing more things right. Avoid<br />
these mistakes and you will be more likely<br />
to find yourself at the top.<br />
1. ARRIVING LATE:<br />
This creates a bad impression with .the<br />
interviewers. If you see that you're going<br />
to be late, call and change your appointment<br />
or ask to be rescheduled.<br />
2. ARRIVING EARLY:<br />
Too early is as bad as too late. Take a<br />
few minutes to freshen up and get your<br />
head on straight, review your introducing<br />
statement. It's best to arrive about 5<br />
minutes early; you don't want to be seen<br />
just sitting in the waiting room reading<br />
magazines.<br />
3. DRESSING WRONG:<br />
First Impressions Count! Dressing too<br />
casually or too flamboyantly can ruin your<br />
chances. The best choice is a business suit<br />
in conservative colors such as navy, black,<br />
gray or brown. -<br />
4. DRESSING IN A RUSH:<br />
Plan in advance what you will wear to<br />
your interview. Shine your shoes, get your<br />
hair cut/done, hands cared for (manicure,<br />
for women - no bright nail polish), suit<br />
pressed, or better yet get a new suit.<br />
5. SMOKING:<br />
If qualifications are equal, it has been<br />
found that a nonsmoker will be hired over<br />
a smoker. And besides, smoking makes<br />
you look nervous.<br />
6. DRINKING:<br />
NEVER before an interview. You need<br />
to be alert during an interview, not mellowed<br />
out. DRINK DOES NOT MAKE YOU<br />
MORE RELAXED OR YOUR THINKING<br />
CLEARER.<br />
7. CHEWING GUM:<br />
Gum is not a good substitute for cigarettes<br />
or confidence. It does not look good nor<br />
does it sound good.<br />
8. NOT DOING YOUR HOMEWORK:<br />
Know the job, the company or the<br />
department you're interviewing for. Go<br />
beyond reading the job announcement or<br />
advertisement. Call the department and<br />
ask for the particulars.<br />
9. SKIPPING A DRESS REHEARSAL:<br />
Practice! Practice! Practice! Make sure<br />
you can say what you want to say. Use a<br />
tape recorder and have a friend or loved<br />
one ask you questions and listen/watch for<br />
the distracting things you do. If it's available<br />
use a video camera and tape these practice<br />
interviews then review the tape, looking<br />
for distracting body language and<br />
giveaway facial, expressions.<br />
10. ADMITTING A FLAW:<br />
The interviewer is not looking for a long<br />
winded explanation of what you might<br />
think your weaknesses are. What they are<br />
looking for is "are you aware of a short<br />
coming and are you doing anything about."<br />
The rule for talking about a weakness is<br />
1 to 25. That means for every word you<br />
use to describe a weakness you need 25<br />
words to tell what you are doing to fix or<br />
correct it. So use one word weaknesses.<br />
11.NOT KNOWING YOUR STRENGTHS:<br />
You have to look into yourself and your<br />
background so thoroughly that you are<br />
prepared to answer any question about it.<br />
Then without hesitation explain your<br />
strengths and skills • to the interviewers'<br />
satisfaction. Be prepared with at least 4<br />
strengths or skills that apply to the position<br />
you are applying for.<br />
12. ASKING TOO MANY QUESTIONS:<br />
The object is to find out your skills and<br />
abilities. If you refuse to take the ball and<br />
run with it, how will the interviewers find<br />
out about you. Most of the questions will<br />
be open ended; this will give you an oppor-<br />
tunity to talk about your skills and<br />
strengths. When you ask for clarification<br />
too often, you give up the opportunity to<br />
talk about yourself.<br />
13. NOT ASKING ANY QUESTIONS:<br />
Be prepared to ask pertinent questions<br />
about the department or current trends in<br />
the field that the company or department<br />
is involved in or on the brink of entering<br />
into. -<br />
14. INQUIRING ABOUT BENEFITS<br />
TOO SOON:<br />
The object of the interview is to find out<br />
what you will give to the company or<br />
department. It's not what the department<br />
or company will do for you. Once the job<br />
offer is made - then is the time to discuss<br />
and/or negotiate benefits.<br />
15. CRYING DISCRIMINATION:<br />
Not everyone involved in the interviewing<br />
process is up on all of the laws and<br />
rules that apply to the hiring process.<br />
Because of this, it is possible that you will<br />
be asked a question that is unfair or illegal.<br />
The interview room is not the place to cry<br />
discrimination. Do your best to answer the<br />
question. Your calm and businesslike manner<br />
just might get you the job; and if it<br />
doesn't, you can file a complaint or<br />
grievance later.<br />
16. BAD-MOUTHING YOUR BOSS.<br />
NEVER, NEVER, NEVER say anything<br />
against any person or anything negative<br />
about other departments you've worked in.<br />
This gives the interviewers a negative impression<br />
of you that's hard to overcome.<br />
No matter what has happened in the past,<br />
only talk about how you grew from the<br />
experience.<br />
17. NAME DROPPING:<br />
Playing "who do you know" with interviewers<br />
has a tendency to backfire. You<br />
don't know the relationship between the interviewer<br />
and the name you drop. If'you<br />
have a friend in the organization, have<br />
them put in a good word for you or place<br />
a letter of recommendation in your personnel<br />
package.<br />
18. ENERGY FAILURE:<br />
Its been said that 80% of an interview<br />
score is enthusiasm and 20% is<br />
knowledge. Don't let outside activities interfere<br />
with your energy level on the day<br />
of your interview. The interview is the most<br />
important thing. ALL else is secondary.<br />
There are exercises to raise and keep your<br />
energy level high.<br />
19. HANDSHAKE FAILURE:<br />
A limp or bone crushing handshake is<br />
like bad breath; even your best friend won't<br />
tell you about it. However, the interviewer<br />
will mark you down for it. Ask a trusted<br />
friend "If I were going to develop a perfect<br />
L andshake, would I make mine firmer,<br />
more gentle, grasp more hand or less, or<br />
what?" and then practice until you get it<br />
right.<br />
20. PLAYING THE HERO/HEROINE:<br />
In most of the jobs you'll be called upon<br />
to work on you'll be part of a team. Stress<br />
how your talents, abilities and experiences<br />
will mesh with those of others in the<br />
department or division.<br />
Robin Ririe retired from the Los Angeles<br />
<strong>Police</strong> Department in 1986 after 26 years<br />
to pursue a career in teaching and lecturing,<br />
forming his own seminar company.<br />
Since 1979, Robin has been coordinating<br />
and conducting seminars and<br />
workshops throughout California and<br />
Arizona. His classes are lively - his infor -mation is current and comprehensive - his<br />
advice is incisive. He is a people mover!<br />
As a speaker, Robin is actively sought<br />
by professional and community organizations.<br />
His topics include various careerrelated<br />
subjects., For information on upcoming<br />
seminars or individual help with interviews.<br />
Contact Robin Ririe at 29 South<br />
Curtis Ave., Alhambra, Ca. 91801, or you<br />
can call him at (818) 284-1724.<br />
113<br />
REALTOR €<br />
JAMES W. DOHERTY<br />
Realtor<br />
3253 - 16th Street<br />
<strong>San</strong> <strong>Francisco</strong>, CA 94103<br />
(415) 861-0934<br />
FBI Report: Assaults and Deaths of<br />
Peace <strong>Officers</strong> in 1987<br />
Uniform Crime Reports by U.S. Dept. of Justice<br />
73 Peace <strong>Officers</strong> Killed<br />
73 were males, 66 were white, 7 black,<br />
Firearms were used in 66 of the 73 slayings,<br />
13 were killed with their own<br />
weapon(19%), 93% of the deaths between<br />
1977-1987 were caused by firearms;<br />
Weapons used (firearms) primarily .38 cal<br />
and .357 cal weapons - accounting for 2/3<br />
of handgun deaths;<br />
Prior to their murders 19 of the victim<br />
officers were acquainted with their killers;<br />
more than ½ of slain officers were slain<br />
within 5 FEET of their assailants; only 4<br />
suspects were killed by victim officers; 48<br />
killed by handguns; 9 killed by 'rifles; 9 killed<br />
by shotguns.<br />
48 of the 73 <strong>Officers</strong> Killed Were on<br />
Patrol -<br />
37 were assigned to one man cars<br />
(This is considered the most dangerous<br />
of all assignments; 53% of the patrol<br />
officers were alone and unassisted at<br />
the time of their killings; 10 were assigned<br />
to two man cars; 1 was assigned to foot<br />
patrol; 17 were assigned to detective work;<br />
8 were off duty, but acting in a official<br />
capacity; 29% of officers on other types<br />
of assignments were alone when killed.<br />
27 Peace <strong>Officers</strong> Were Killed in Arrest<br />
Situations (82% were alone when<br />
killed); 9 while attending robbery of<br />
burglary calls; 6 were drug related; 12 other<br />
types of crimes.<br />
11 Peace <strong>Officers</strong> Were Killed Investigating<br />
Suspicious Persons or<br />
Circumstances<br />
8 Peace <strong>Officers</strong> Were Enforcing Traffic<br />
Laws<br />
22 After Responding to Disturbance<br />
Calls<br />
6 Were Killed While Transporting of<br />
Handling Prisoners<br />
4 Were Ambushed<br />
1 Was Dealing With A Mentally<br />
Disturbed Person<br />
7 <strong>Officers</strong> Were Killed With/Other<br />
Than Firearms -3 were stabbed; 2 were<br />
struck with motor vehicles; 2 assaulted<br />
with firearms and then burned.<br />
46 of the assailants had prior arrests;<br />
45% of wounds - upper torso; 41% of<br />
wounds - head shots<br />
75 officers were killed accidentally -<br />
vehicular accidents, accidently shot,<br />
drownings, etc.<br />
ASSAULTS<br />
84% of total assaults committed by:<br />
hands, fist, or feet<br />
4% by firearms<br />
2% by knives, cutting instruments<br />
9% by autmobils, cl4ibs, etc.<br />
68% of assaults occurred between 6 PM<br />
to 4 AM<br />
53% of assaulted were assigned to one<br />
man cars<br />
28% of officers assaulted were assigned to<br />
two man cars<br />
6% of officers assaulted were detectives<br />
13% were handling other duties<br />
17 out of every 100 officers were assault<br />
victims in 1987 (no change from 1986)<br />
IN SERVICE CLASSROOPM TRAINING<br />
1987-88<br />
FBI, REPORT, ASSAULTS AND<br />
DEATHS OF PEACE OFFICERS<br />
SUMMAR 1986<br />
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66 Peace <strong>Officers</strong> Killed<br />
65 were male, 1 female<br />
59 were white, 7 black<br />
Firearms were used in 62 of the 66<br />
slayings -<br />
16 were killed with their own weapon* *<br />
(24%)* *<br />
92% of the deaths were caused by<br />
firearms (1977 1986)<br />
Weapons used (firearms) primarily .38<br />
cal and .357 cal weapons)<br />
Prior to their murders, 16 of the victim<br />
officers were acquainted with their killers<br />
(24%)<br />
41 of the 66 <strong>Officers</strong> Killed Were On<br />
Patrol<br />
31 were assigned to one man cars (This<br />
is considered the most dangerous of all<br />
assignments) 68% of the patrol officers<br />
were alone and unassisted at the time of<br />
their killings<br />
9 were assigned to two man cars<br />
1 was assigned to foot patrol<br />
26 Peace <strong>Officers</strong> were Killed in Arrest<br />
Situations<br />
10 while attending robbery or burglary<br />
calls<br />
7 were drug related<br />
9 other types of crime<br />
11 Peace <strong>Officers</strong> Were Killed Investigating<br />
Suspicious Persons or<br />
Circumstances<br />
10 Peace <strong>Officers</strong> Were Enforcing<br />
Traffic Laws<br />
6 After Responding To Disturbance<br />
Calls (This figure represents a 54%<br />
decrease over 1985. <strong>Officers</strong> who were killed<br />
as a result of bar fights or man with a<br />
gun calls remain constant. <strong>Officers</strong> killed<br />
responding to domestic disputes dropped)<br />
5 Were Killed While Transporting or<br />
Handling Prisoners<br />
5 Were Ambushed<br />
3 Were Dealing With Mentally Disturbed<br />
Persons<br />
Assaults<br />
Account for total %<br />
84% of Total Assaults Committed By:<br />
Of Injuries -<br />
Hands, Fist, or Feet<br />
34%<br />
(Unchanged from 1985)<br />
4% By Firearms<br />
22%<br />
(1985 =21%) down 1%<br />
3% By Knives, Cutting Instruments 30%<br />
- (1985 = 27%) up 3%<br />
9% By Automobiles, Clubs, Etc. 14%<br />
73% of assaults occurred between 6 PM to 6 AM<br />
55% of officers assaulted were assigned to one man<br />
cars<br />
27% of officers assaulted were assigned to two man<br />
cars<br />
6% of officers assaulted were detectives<br />
3% were handling other duties<br />
17 out of every 100 officers were assault victims in<br />
1986<br />
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0<br />
Company<br />
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8:30 TO 5:00<br />
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